Falsely condemned mother slams CYF

A Hastings mother who has had allegations of child abuse against her dropped is angry Child, Youth and Family treated her as guilty.

Crystal Lawler discovered that a relative had made the complaint under a false name, alleging she beat her three children, took drugs and was drunk "most of the time".

The relative has a mild intellectual disability and contacted Mrs Lawler directly, claiming to be a CYF social worker. He is known to police for using assumed names.

Two weeks ago, two CYF social workers visited Mrs Lawler at her home after receiving the complaint.

Refusing to disclose the allegations until she made a formal request under the Official Information Act, CYF then sent only three pages of a 15-page report about her and deleted much of the information, saying it was either irrelevant or was to protectthe complainant's privacy.

Despite being told the complainant's background, CYF continued its inquiry into Mrs Lawler's family, asking for doctor's certificates and attempting to visit her 13-year-old son at school.

"They spoke to the principal, who said they were abrupt and confrontational with him."

Mrs Lawler was "livid" that details about the allegation that were withheld from her were revealed to the principal.

CYF defended the inquiry process, saying it would be negligent not to follow up all allegations and it was often necessary to speak to teachers and others who could help to establish the facts.

On Monday Mrs Lawler said the case worker managing the inquiry apologised to her and said she would learn from the incident.

- NZPA